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FM fans alert: Tuner specialist Magnum Dynalab has introduced its "Triode Series," led by the $3995 MD-106T triode tube tuner. The MD-106T is said to combine great signal
sensitivity and selectivity in channel reception with "exceptional build quality and musical realism." One design feature that's something of a throwback to tube electronics of the 1950s and early '60s is a glowing "Magic Eye" tube indicator for fast, precise tuning. The MD-106T also features "a precisely aligned tunable five-stage RF front end, and a double-thick, gold-plated circuit board to minimize vibration," according…
On February 23, Pacific Microsonics announced that Atlantic Records' forthcoming golden-anniversary release will feature classic popular recordings remastered using Pacific's high-resolution HDCD technology. The patented High Definition Compatible Disc process enhances the detail, richness, and dynamics of compact disc performance.
Atlantic Records decided on HDCD as "the natural choice for mastering because of the suberb sound quality it produces." Atlantic's Vice President for Special Projects Yves Beauvais said, "Music fans will really enjoy listening to this two-CD set. Every track…
Enjoying classical music performed on original instruments has just gotten easier. After 25 years of issuing recordings on LP and CD, the invigorating Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra has decided instead to make recordings of its live performances available for download.
"There's no question that this orchestra built its reputation outside of the Bay Area through its recordings," explained the PBO's executive director, Robert Birman, speaking about an organization that appeared in London's BBC Proms series and at Holland's Concertgebouw last year, and spent two weeks touring Germany. "After 9…
First with CD players, then digital preamps, and recently amplifiers, digital technology has ground inexorably through the audio chain. Several companies have been developing ways to shorten the analog path or remove it entirely. Meridian's "digital" loudspeakers come to mind, as well as the amplifiers from manufacturers Spectron and TacT.
Wadia has been in the digital audio business just about as long as anyone, and says that its digital amplifier approach, known as the PowerDAC, was part of its original business plan from eight years ago. Peter Bohacek of Wadia says that "It was viewed…
The Sirius Satellite Radio constellation will soon be in position, thanks to the successful launch November 30 of Sirius-3, the third satellite in the Sirius system. The transponders are being arrayed in geosynchronous orbits above North America for maximum radio coverage, which will begin in 2001. The previous two satellites were launched last summer and in early autumn.
Within a few weeks, Sirius will begin beaming "CD-quality" digital radio signals to US motorists with satellite receivers installed in their vehicles. Eventually as many as 100 channels will be available for a monthly…
The fate of Hales Loudspeakers has been a subject of much concern and discussion among audiophiles since the shuttering of parent company Wadia Digital a few months ago. There is now considerable light at the end of the tunnel, as revealed by Hales founder L. Paul Hales in a telephone interview December 22.
Hales is now manager of loudspeaker research and development for professional audio manufacturer QSC. The Costa Mesa, CA-based company has acquired many of the assets of Hales Loudspeakers, among them designs, patents, and other intellectual property, including the right to the use of…
Paul Bolin exclaims, "Looking at the current digital scene is enough to confuse and confound just about anyone this side of Stephen Hawking." Bolin's review of the Ayre Acoustics D-1x DVD-Video/CD player is here to clear things up.
Sam Tellig gets a-hold of a Portal Audio Panache integrated amplifier, reporting that the 100Wpc Portal sells "directly to consumers, mainly by the Internet, and there are no North American dealers." But, as Tellig finds, there's no reason to hold that against it.
In his review of the pro Weiss Medea D/A processor, Kal Rubinson points out, "Some people…
Trying to get a grip on where the new high-end audio formats, DVD-Audio and SACD, might be going? A logical place to start might be to check with the factories getting ready to crank out the discs and see how the orders have so far stacked up. After conducting just such a survey, the International Recording Media Association (IRMA) released last week the first projections for next year's worldwide marketplace introduction of DVD-Audio and SACD.
IRMA reports that, according to a survey of replicators who will be prepared to fill the pipeline with DVD-Audio and SACD product in 2000, a total…
As the boundaries between audio, video, and information technologies continue to blur, so will the corporate boundaries between Sony Electronics' audio, video, and information-technology divisions. Last week, Sony announced the creation of a new organization that the company says integrates its A/V and IT companies into one overall "Consumer Electronics Group," or "CEG." Sony adds that the new structure combines the company's Consumer Products Marketing Group and its Personal Network Solutions Company into one organization. Fujio Nishida was named president of CEG; the new organization will…
People are often unaware that they might benefit from industry- or union-sponsored funds or participate in class-action settlements. In early January, we were notified of a fund for session musicians with over $3 million still unclaimed, and of a procedure enabling consumers to collect a small share of the payout from the "MAP" (minimum advertised price) lawsuit that was settled by the music industry last year.
Musicians who have done studio work in the US or Canada can benefit from the "Sound Recording Special Payments Fund," a fund that has paid out almost $15 million to date, according…